reverting from LED to T5..?

Every tank that ive seen with a t5 light looks waaaaay better than my tank, and i want that look, but i have a cube tank, and i have lps and sps and softies. I think that means ill need something along the lines 6-8 bulbs, but cant find a fixtue thatll fit a 30x30 tank, any help?

 

bump

 

You are right on needing 6 to 8 bulbs. If you DIY it you should be able to get away with 6 bulbs I think. If you buy a fixture then 8 bulbs to get enough coverage. TEK and ATI have 6 and 8 bulb fixtures. 24" length will do since you will not be able to find fixtures with that many bulbs in 30" length of any selection for those bulbs.

 

What LEDs do you have? It might be because your LEDs arent full spectrum and don't provide that 14k look alot of T5 tanks have. Personally if I was switching back from my LEDs I'd go back to good old Phoenix 14Ks.
Is that what you mean by "look better"?

 

AquaticLife has a 30" fixture that takes 24" bulbs so you can switch to high-end lamps. They're also modular so you can add as many as needed, and they're on sale right now at Pet Solutions.

AquaticLife T5 2-Lamp Fixtures, Aquarium T 5 Fixture | PetSolutions

 

Or go for this and get the bulbs you want:
24" 6x24W SunPower T5 High-Output Fixture

 

i have a radion that has been nothing but a PITA for me.

 

I switched back from my LEDs to my T5s and couldnt be happier. I do miss the shimmer effect though. So I am going to add 4 LEDs for the shimmer effect.

 

I just started a 60g 24x24x24 cube with 1 Radion and couldn't be happier. Why is the radion giving you trouble?

 

Agreed, most people I've heard from love theirs.

Also, FWIW, if you're using your hood, RapidLED should have a retrofit kit that would work for you, and if not, Reef Breeders has or could build a fixture for around the same price or maybe even less than the cost of a 6 - 8 bulb T5. Just something to consider, as bulb replacement every 9 - 12 months won't be cheap with that many in one unit.